The Toy Box Years: Lenten Activities

The Creators of the Toy Box Years

The creators of the Toy Box Years are my two beautiful daughters and wonderful, handsome soldier husband.

"Nani" (our oldest) is a 11 year old 6th grader who loves Taylor Swift, ballet, books, fashion designing and sewing. Ask her what she wants to be when she grows up and it changes daily to anything from "an artist" to "a teacher" to "a singer/dancer". Nani is also currently fighting a battle against brain cancer -- recently diagnosed in June 2016.

"Nudgie" (our youngest) is a very smiley, very happy, very giggly, very spirited 8 year old 3rd Grader who's favorite toys are anything that gives mommy an anxiety attack - ladders, stepstools, the climbing wall at the playground. Like her sister, she has a love of reading and coloring, loves gymnastics and still provides mommy lots of snuggle time!

"My Marine" is my high school sweetheart. We've been married over 20 years and met when we were 17. (You do the math....) His favorite toys are Blackhawk helicopters, the lawnmower, our steam cleaner, and microbrew beer bottles. My husband is also my hero in that he proudly serves his country as a Blackhawk crew chief (hence his favorite toy!). And need I say that there is nothing hotter than my man in uniform!

All About Me......

Once upon a time I had a career and worked in the corporate world. Once upon a time, I dreamed about leaving that all behind to follow my true calling -- being a wife and mommy.

The first part of my calling was fulfilled in 1995 when I married my Marine (now soldier) and my love. Little did I know that being a military wife would change me in so many ways and that because of that, I would have an extended family all over the world from Japan, to California, to North Carolina.

The second part of my calling took a little doing, but I finally achieved that dream in 2004 with the birth of our first child, followed 4 years later by her baby sister.

So now, when someone asks me what I do for a living - I simply smile and say proudly that I'm following my calling - I'm a mommy and a wife -- and I couldn't be HAPPIER -- I'm living in the Toy Box Years!!

One of the things to do for Lent is to give up something. Sacrifice something that you love in order to prepare your heart, mind, and soul for the blessings that Easter has to offer us. In the past I've given up snacks, chocolate, desserts, pop, and even Starbucks (but not coffee). This year, I've decided to give up -- brace yourselves -- craft stores and book stores.

I know, I know......shocking, isn't it.

I've also been trying to come up with something to balance the see-saw of craft store deprivation. Do something to devote my attention to Lent and not shopping. So I've added a daily rosary/devotion time - which I've been wanting to do for awhile.

I also wanted to do something with the girls too. So I made up a calendar of activities to do with the girls - something they can do on their own or something we can do as a family. (It's a little blurred and for that I apologize -- I'm still learning how to do screen shots....but I have uploaded the file available for you to download, if you choose.)

Some of our activities include:

* Reading Bible stories
* Saying an extra prayer for the soldiers, medical professionals, etc.
* Setting up a jar for a charitable donation
* Sharing a special toy/book with Nudgie/Nani
* Make a donation to a food bank/animal shelter
* Making our Easter Blessings tree

I have uploaded my activity calendar here. Feel free to download and share with your family. If you do use it, please share what activities you're doing with your family. I'd love to hear what you're doing!